| From the desk of Dr Magne, author of Cancer Free | | | | years or decades since you walked regularly, perhaps |
| For Life | | | | you can begin with 5 minutes of walking and slowly |
| Breast cancer statistics show that over 1.2 million | | | | increase your time and distance. |
| persons will be diagnosed with breast cancer | | | | • Walking at a pace of 75-95 steps a minute |
| worldwide this year, according to the World Health | | | | will have you walking at a speed of about 2-3 miles |
| Organization. Regular physical activity has been shown | | | | per hour. |
| to decrease the likelihood of having breast cancer. | | | | • Walk with your head up, looking out in |
| What has not been known or studied has been the | | | | front of you. Do not walk looking down right in front |
| effect of regular physical activity on the breast | | | | of you except to navigate any obstacles. |
| cancer survival rates or likelihood of death in women | | | | • Really take it easy the first 5 minutes of |
| that already have breast cancer. That is, until now. | | | | walking to warm up. Afterwards, gently stretch for |
| The breast cancer statistics and findings as reported | | | | 5-10 minutes while your muscles are warm. |
| by the American Medical Association's Journal of the | | | | • Practice good walking form. Your arms |
| American Medical Association (JAMA) were | | | | should swing naturally in the direction you're walking, |
| astounding! Certain participants in the study of | | | | not from side to side across your body. Your foot |
| women with Stage I, II or III breast cancer achieved | | | | should strike the ground on your heel, then a rolling |
| a 50% reduction in the death rate from breast | | | | motion forward toward the ball of your foot, then |
| cancer. | | | | pushing off with your toes. |
| Here are these breast cancer statistics: the journal | | | | And here are some basic walking shoes tips: |
| reported that in the study 2,987 female registered | | | | • Buy your walking shoes from a sporting |
| nurses had been diagnosed with breast cancer during | | | | shoes store with large selections. That will give you |
| the years 1984-1998. What the study found was | | | | plenty of choices. And buy your walking shoes later in |
| that the women who had physical activity equivalent | | | | the day when your feet will be larger. |
| to walking at a steady pace of 2.0-2.9 miles per hour | | | | • Buy cushioned, supportive walking shoes. |
| for 3-5 hours a week had a death rate of only 50% | | | | To see if a shoe is supportive, do this test -- take a |
| of the death rate of women who had physical | | | | shoe and turn it upside down. Holding each end of |
| activity equivalent to walking less than one hour a | | | | the shoe, try to fold it. If you find the shoe bends in |
| week. The conclusion of the breast cancer statistics | | | | the middle, then that shoe is not a supportive shoe. |
| in the study was that physical activity after breast | | | | A supportive shoe should bend where your foot |
| cancer has been diagnosed may reduce the risk of | | | | normally bends, near your toes. |
| death from breast cancer. The study found that | | | | • You should allow the width of your index |
| there was little evidence of any relation between | | | | finger between the end of your shoe and the end of |
| increased physical activity and increased benefit. | | | | your longest toe, or about one-half inch. |
| It's time to dust off those walking shoes! | | | | Walking is the closest thing to the perfect exercise. |
| As a physical activity, walking can be done almost | | | | In today's fast-paced society, regular walking can be |
| anytime by anyone anywhere. All that's needed is a | | | | a welcomed break from the stress of the day. |
| good pair of walking shoes. Walking is fun and | | | | Maybe you'll get to know your neighborhood or |
| reduces stress. As for injuries, walking has the lowest | | | | neighbors better. There may be walking trails you've |
| injury rate of all the various kinds of exercise. | | | | never seen but wanted to. |
| You can walk with a partner, friend, family member | | | | Wherever and however you choose to walk, not |
| or dog, maybe even a neighbor's dog. Or you can | | | | only can the experience be fun, you'll know you're |
| walk with your favorite headset and music. If you | | | | being good to your body in a variety of ways. |
| are walking outdoors with a headset, keep one ear | | | | Besides the incredible breast cancer statistics and |
| open to hear the sounds around you. | | | | findings of the breast cancer study, walking helps |
| As for basic walking tips: | | | | with weight control and bone strength, elevates |
| • As you begin regular walking, take it easy. | | | | mood, helps build and maintain healthy muscles, joints |
| Standard advice is to check with your physician | | | | and heart. With so many great health benefits, why |
| before starting any exercise program. If it's been | | | | not get started walking today! |